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Lough Ree RNLI assisted a boat with six people onboard after it ran aground on the Hexagon Shoal.

Photo: RNLI/Lough Ree

At 9.35am on Sunday morning (15 April) Lough Ree RNLI volunteers were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Malin Head Coast Guard and go to the assistance of a motor boat that had run aground on the Hexagon Shoal in the south east of Lough Ree.

At 9.42am the lifeboat The Eric Rowse was launched with helm Kieron Sloyan and crewmembers Kieran Scullion and Emmet Devereux onboard. Winds were blowing from the south east and were a breezy force 3 to 4 with moderate lake conditions and good visibility.

The crew were quickly on the scene and having ensured everyone on board were uninjured they completed a thorough examination of the boat before towing the vessel off the shoal.

Once in safe waters one of the crew members remained on the casualty boat as their boat was escorted to Coosan Point for further examination. There was a concern that there may be some damage to the hull so the boat was brought across to Quigleys Marina to examine the hull further.

Speaking following the call out, Lough Ree RNLI Helm Kieron Sloyan said ‘We would advise all boat users to ensure before they start their journey that they are familiar with navigation on the lake and in particular that they take note of any changes to navigation that may have occurred over the winter months.’